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In 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

However, the current Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced on May 8th that the country plans to reclassify marijuana as a controlled substance by the end of this year. The initial legalization led to significant growth in the cannabis industry, with an estimated value of $1.2 billion by 2025. Unfortunately, the rushed process of decriminalization resulted in a lack of proper regulations, leading to social chaos.

Prime Minister Thavisin emphasized the need to correct the existing marijuana policy. He called for stricter definitions of drug possession and a focus on using marijuana solely for health and medical purposes. Thavisin expressed concern about drug addiction among young people and stressed the importance of seizing assets from drug traffickers and expanding drug rehabilitation measures.

On social media platform “X,” Thavisin wrote, "I hope the Ministry of Health will revise relevant rules to reclassify marijuana as a controlled substance. We should promptly issue regulations allowing marijuana only for health and medical purposes. The drug problem can undermine our country’s future, especially when it comes to youth addiction. We must act swiftly and enhance drug rehabilitation efforts."

The Creazione Cultural Association under the patronage of the Municipality of Castellina Marittima, awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, leader of Tai ji Men and the president of FOWPAL, presented by Mayor Alessandro Giari on behalf of the Association.

On May 6, 2024, the prestigious Pulitzer Prize winners were announced at Columbia University in New York. The New York Times and Reuters were recognized for their reporting and photography related to the Gaza War, with a special commendation awarded to journalists and media personnel reporting from the Gaza frontlines.

Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prize honors outstanding contributions in journalism, literature, and music. This year, a total of 15 awards were presented. In addition to the top newspaper receiving the gold award for outstanding public service, other winners received a prize of $15,000.

The Pulitzer Prize committee acknowledged that many journalists risked their lives while reporting on the stories from Palestine and Gaza. Their work contributes to recording valuable human experiences in the fields of news, literature, and art.

Reuters received the Best News Photography Award for their powerful images capturing the early stages of the Gaza War. Their reporters documented urgent situations on the battlefield.

The New York Times was honored with the Best International Reporting Award for their extensive and insightful coverage of the Gaza conflict. The judges praised their reporting on Israeli intelligence failures and the military’s strong response.

Both Reuters and The Washington Post jointly received the Best Domestic Reporting Award. Reuters covered tech giant Elon Musk’s automotive and aerospace ventures, while The Washington Post provided thought-provoking reporting on AR-15 rifle-related investigations.

New York Times journalist Hannah Dreier received the Best Investigative Reporting Award for her in-depth exposé on child labor among immigrants across the United States, highlighting long-standing failures by corporations and government. The Associated Press was awarded the Feature Photography Award for their coverage of Latin American immigrants’ arduous journey to the United States.

Russian-American journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, despite being imprisoned, continued to publish passionate columns through The Washington Post, earning the Best Commentary Award. The judges commended his resilience in writing critical pieces about Russian President Putin’s opponents and his unwavering commitment to democracy.

The Lookout Santa Cruz, a local publication, received the Best Breaking News Reporting Award for their detailed and flexible community reporting during a weekend holiday event involving flooding and landslides.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on the afternoon of the 5th, embarking on a state visit to France. This marks Xi’s return to Europe after a five-year absence. One of the critical objectives of this visit is to break down the joint European and American resistance and ease the economic and trade tensions with the European Union regarding electric vehicle subsidies.

Regarding Sino-French relations, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to consider Europe’s strategic interests when determining the extent to which it should open its markets to China. He advocated for building an economic relationship based on mutual benefit.

France’s stance leans toward maintaining relationships with both the United States and China, rather than allowing either side to dominate its relations.

However, an editorial in the French newspaper “Le Monde” analyzed Xi Jinping’s intentions as potentially undermining transatlantic relations. Macron should not harbor illusions about Xi; while dialogue with China is necessary, treating Xi as a friend may not be prudent.

On May 1st, around 2:10 a.m., a highway collapse occurred near K11+900m on the S12 Meilong Expressway in Guangdong, China. The incident resulted in the road surface caving in, causing multiple vehicles passing by to plunge down a hillside. Satellite imagery revealed a long, trench-like depression in the highway, measuring approximately 17.9 meters in length and covering an area of about 184.3 square meters.

In response to the disaster, emergency teams were dispatched, including personnel from emergency services, public security, firefighting, health, transportation, and communication. A total of 577 rescue workers and 64 rescue vehicles were deployed to conduct thorough search and rescue operations. Notably, no large passenger vehicles were found among the affected area.

As of the afternoon of May 2nd, a press conference held in Meizhou City reported the following details: 23 vehicles were confirmed to have fallen into the collapsed section, resulting in 48 fatalities. Additionally, three individuals’ DNA awaits further confirmation, and 30 others sustained injuries but are not in life-threatening condition. No foreign nationals were identified among the casualties.

The local health commission promptly designated Meizhou City People’s Hospital as the emergency treatment center. Medical teams, including orthopedic and critical care specialists, were dispatched to the scene.

Collaborative efforts involving experts from the provincial, municipal, and county levels addressed various medical disciplines, including intensive care, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and psychological support.

AstraZeneca is facing legal action over its Covid vaccine, initiated by a man who suffered severe brain injury after receiving the jab in April 2021. Jamie Scott, a father-of-two, experienced a blood clot that left him with brain damage and unable to continue working. The legal action, taken under the Consumer Protection Act, alleges that the vaccine was "defective" as it was less safe than individuals were entitled to expect. While Covid vaccines have saved millions of lives, this particular case highlights concerns related to blood clots and brain hemorrhages associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine¹.

During the Covid pandemic, the AstraZeneca vaccine was initially hailed by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson as a "triumph of British science," saving at least six million lives in its first year. However, it was later found to be linked to a new condition called "Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia" (VITT). Consequently, the UK recommended alternative vaccines for individuals under 40, and the AstraZeneca vaccine is no longer in use there. Legal experts criticize AstraZeneca for its handling of medical terminology related to TTS (Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) and VITT. Interestingly, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers both conditions to be the same¹.

Data from the UK's Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) indicates at least 81 deaths suspected to be related to blood clot adverse reactions in individuals with pre-existing low platelet counts who received the AstraZeneca vaccine. According to MHRA data, nearly 20% of patients who experienced blood clots after receiving the vaccine resulted in fatalities¹.

The Daily Telegraph reports that AstraZeneca's acknowledgment of the relationship between the vaccine and adverse effects significantly increases the chances of success for the plaintiffs. The UK courts have received 51 similar lawsuits seeking compensation totaling up to £100 million. AstraZeneca, as the UK's second-largest publicly traded company, has a market value exceeding £170 billion¹.

Please note that this translation is based on the provided news content, and I recommend referring to the original source for further details¹.

According to media reports, Kenya has recently experienced continuous heavy rains for six weeks, resulting in a serious disaster caused by the collapse of a dam. Here are the details of the event:

April 30, 2024,the Old Kijabe Dam, located in the Rift Valley region of western Kenya, collapsed due to flooding. A large amount of mud, rocks, and uprooted trees flowed into the community with the overflowing floodwaters, destroying houses and submerging a busy highway. At least 45 people have died, dozens are missing, and houses in multiple areas across the country have been inundated, affecting over 200,000 people.

The Kenyan Red Cross reports that 109 people are hospitalized, and 49 others are missing. Nairobi International Airport has also been flooded, leading to the cancellation or diversion of some flights.

Kenya's neighboring countries, Tanzania and Burundi, have also been affected. Tanzania has reported 155 fatalities due to flooding. The unique highland gorge environment in East Africa makes the region susceptible to flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall. Kenya has lost over 100 lives to floods since November 2023 and is currently facing a major flood crisis.

This disaster has had a significant impact on residents in Kenya and neighboring countries, and the government and relief agencies are working tirelessly to provide assistance and rescue efforts.

According to the meteorological department's report, the perceived temperature in many regions of the Philippines has exceeded a staggering 50 degrees. On April 30th, the Philippine government announced a nationwide 5-day school closure to address the severe impact of abnormally high temperatures on public health.

The scorching weather not only hampers agricultural production and disrupts water and electricity supply but also affects student learning. Children exposed to prolonged heat are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Xerxes Castro, an education consultant from "Save the Children Philippines," stated, "We anticipate more school closures in May due to the heatwave, with an expected average (perceived) temperature exceeding 52 degrees Celsius. The stress on students can be immense."

To ensure public safety and well-being, the Philippine government has implemented emergency measures, including the 5-day school closure, to mitigate the risks associated with extreme high temperatures. This measure aims to prevent students and staff from going outdoors during sweltering weather and reduce the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related health issues.

Additionally, authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions, such as minimizing outdoor activities during hot periods, ensuring indoor ventilation, staying hydrated, and avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight. The Philippine government stated that they will closely monitor the latest reports from the meteorological bureau to take appropriate measures in response to any threats to public safety posed by the heatwave. They encourage residents to remain calm and follow official guidance to minimize the risks associated with high temperatures.

As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise. Across more than 50 U.S. campuses, student protests in support of Palestine have erupted, including at Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Columbia University. At least 600 people have been arrested during these campus demonstrations.

Student groups are demanding that universities divest from companies profiting from the conflict. The protests began at Columbia University on April 18 and have since spread from the East Coast to the West Coast. Some schools have canceled graduation ceremonies or shifted to online classes due to safety concerns. For instance, the University of Southern California (USC) saw nearly 100 arrests during a protest. Humboldt State University in Northern California even announced the closure of its campus until the end of the semester.

While some universities have cleared protest camps, law enforcement agencies have arrested demonstrators at various locations. In response to the protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned them as "anti-Semitism" and called for more action to stop such behavior.

The issue has sparked widespread attention and discussion on American campuses, with both supporters and critics expressing their views.

A recent report by the "Population Strategy Conference," composed of Japanese private experts, highlights Japan's population challenges. By 2050, the population of women aged 20 to 39—the prime childbearing age group—will decrease by half. Approximately 744 cities and towns across Japan, nearly 40% of all municipalities, are at risk of disappearing due to this demographic decline.

The report categorizes municipalities into four groups:
1. At-Risk Municipalities: These towns face the highest risk of disappearing due to the projected halving of young women's populations.
2. Black Hole-Type Municipalities: Although not at immediate risk, these areas have low birth rates and rely on external population inflows for growth.
3. Self-Sustaining Municipalities: These towns are projected to maintain nearly 50% of young women in their populations even 100 years from now.
4. Other Municipalities: The remaining local governments also face declining populations of young women.

Japan's declining birth rate—currently at 1.26 children per woman—poses a significant challenge. To maintain a stable population, the ideal figure should be around 2.07.

Despite an increase in foreign residents, the overall trend of population decline remains. Urgent measures are needed to address this demographic shift.